News Release

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Seven Family Members Found Dead, Apparent Murder Suicide

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Detectives from Harbor Division are investigating the deaths of seven people, believed to be victims of apparent murder suicide, that has left an entire family dead.

On January 27, 2009, at around 8:30 a.m., LAPD Harbor Division Patrol Officers and Los Angeles City Fire Department rescue personnel responded to the 1000 block of McFarland Ave. after receiving a call of a suicidal man there.

The preliminary investigation found that sometime before 8:00 a.m. Ervin Antonio Lupoe faxed a two page letter to KABC Channel 7. The letter detailed an employment grievance that Lupoe and his wife were having with their former employer, Kaiser Permanente of West Los Angeles. The letter also contained a suicide threat. Lupoe then called the news station and said he was going to kill himself. News station employees phoned the LAPD Harbor Division Watch Commander, while simultaneously LAPD 911 operators were taking a call from a man who said that he had just returned home and found all of his family members murdered.

LAPD Officers entered the home to ensure that there was not an active shooter and secured the crime scene. Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics determined the seven people found inside the home were all dead and had all sustained gunshot wounds. A handgun was found at the scene.

The adult male was identified as Ervin Antonio Lupoe. The identities of the female victim and five children had not been immediately released pending the outcome of the Los Angeles County Coroner's investigation. The children ranged in ages from 2 to 8 years of age; three girls and two boys. The adult female and two of the children were found in the master bedroom of the home. In another room described as a 'bonus room' the bodies of Lupoe and three children were found.

Detectives from Harbor Area Station and Robbery Homicide Division are working together to investigate this tragic case.

In immediate response to this tragic event LAPD Harbor Division and Councilmember Hahn held a Community Meeting at the Holy Family Parish, 1011 East "L" Street, Wilmington, CA 90744, to discuss what happened, what's being done, and how the community can partner to help. The discussion identified resources in our communities available to persons and families faced with economic issues or suicidal thoughts. The Los Angeles Police Department wants to reassure and encourage citizens that there is help available. There is no need to suffer alone; help is just a phone call away.

The Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has assembled a helpful list of resources that is attached to this news release. It can be used by families or individuals who find themselves in difficult situations.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Harbor Homicide Detectives at 310-513-2106. After hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-800-LAPD 24-7. Callers may also text "CRIMES" with a cell phone or by logging on to www.lapdonline.org and clicking on Web Tips. When using a cell phone always begin the message with "LAPD." All calls and contacts are anonymous.

RESOURCES IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES

HOMELESSNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH
Residents who are facing homelessness should call the LA County hotline 2-1-1. Through this number they will be routed to the most appropriate homelessness related service to address their situation.

City and County Hot Line: 800-854-7771

LA County General Hot Line: 800-339-6993

Los Angeles County Mental Health Referral Line: 800-854-7771

Suicide Prevention Crisis Line, Available at all hours of the day and night at:877-727-4747

THE L.A. FORECLOSURE RESPONSE NETWORK
A partnership between the Mayor's Office, Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services, the Community Development Department and the City of Los Angeles WorkSource Center system, the L.A. Foreclosure Response Network brings foreclosure prevention resources to six strategically located WorkSource Centers.

The participating centers are located in or near those communities that have been hardest hit by the on-going foreclosure crisis. They serve as conduits through which Angelenos can conveniently access foreclosure prevention resources, including basic information about available services, foreclosure counseling, and foreclosure prevention clinics. The WorkSource Centers' staffs have been trained by Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services to provide basic intake to new clients and to steer them to the right sources of information and the right resources.

UNFAIR EVICTIONS AND DISCRIMINATION
For residents who feel they are being evicted unfairly, they can call the L.A. Housing Department's rent hotline at 1-866-557-RENT.

Residents who live in apartments subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance have certain legal protections from eviction if their building is foreclosed. In fact, foreclosure is not a legal reason for eviction under the City's Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Residents who feel they may be victims of an illegal eviction from a Rent Stabilized unit should call the City's rent hotline at 1-866-557-RENT.
Residents who feel they may be the victim of housing discrimination should call the Housing Rights Center at 1-800-477-5977.